Date
7-22-2025
Department
School of Nursing
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Chair
Rachel Joseph
Keywords
Preceptor, nursing student, effectiveness, barriers, facilitators
Disciplines
Nursing
Recommended Citation
Arraf, Kelly Anne, "Nurse Preceptors' Perceptions of Effectiveness Precepting Senior Baccalaureate Nursing Students: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7243.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7243
Abstract
The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore how clinical nurse preceptors perceive their effectiveness when working with senior baccalaureate nursing students in East Texas. The study was guided by two theories: Invitational Education Theory, introduced by Purkey and Novak, used to understand how preceptors teach, and Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, used to understand how preceptees learn. The central research question was: What is the lived experience of being a nurse preceptor to senior baccalaureate nursing students in East Texas? Data were collected from semistructured virtual interviews, field and journal notes, and a demographic survey. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis was used to identify four central themes within the data: (a) preparation essential for preceptor success, (b) student readiness for clinical engagement, (c) the need for faculty communication, and (d) administrative challenges. It was found that preceptor preparation influences effectiveness and that several student behaviors and abilities facilitate full clinical engagement. A solid understanding of what facilitates and hinders the preceptor’s ability to be effective in their role provides can guide future recruiting, professional development, and retention initiatives. Preceptors desire training for their role, better faculty communication, clear expectations and scope of practice for students, and genuine recognition for their work. This knowledge can foster practical and policy changes that contribute to a more successful clinical learning experience, impacting students’ satisfaction, competence, and retention in the nursing profession. Future research could examine how conducting personality testing fosters effectiveness and preceptor-preceptee matching.
